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Our team’s job is to treat gum disease (gingivitis or periodontal disease). It is one of the ten most common diseases people deal with when it comes to their smiles. It is also the main cause of tooth loss in adults! If you have gum disease, you will need deep cleanings to overcome this chronic inflammatory condition affecting the oral tissues, ligaments, and bones, keeping your teeth in place.
Treating Gum Disease
Scaling and Root Planing
Scaling involves removing plaque and tartar/calculus (hardened plaque) from your teeth below your gums. Then root planing smooths out the tooth root surface and fills spaces, where bacteria can build up and harm the gums.
Osseous (bone) Surgery
This procedure allows our team to reshape the bone structure holding the teeth in place (made of your jaw bone and ligaments) so there aren’t gaps or pockets between your gums and teeth where bacteria can get in, causing inflammation and infection.
Bone Graft
A bone graft prepares for a dental implant if the jaw’s bone density is not strong enough to support the implant. Deterioration of the bone happens when gum disease is severe, disintegrating the bone. With this graft, we layer bone beneath the gums to build up the jaw, so it can regenerate and grow more bone on its own.
Gum Graft
This treatment is needed when your gums have receded from the teeth, exposing the tooth root. This exposure leads to tooth sensitivity and additional bone support loss. We can remove tissue from somewhere else in the mouth then graft it over your tooth roots to fortify the gum tissue supporting the tooth.
Placing a Dental Implant
We specialize in installing dental implants (an artificial tooth root) and securely anchoring a replacement tooth or bridge. It can replace one or more lost teeth from periodontal disease, injury, or other loss.
Seeking Treatment
You will need to see our team for the following oral issues:
- Having loose teeth
- Having gum recession
- Experiencing changes in your bite
- Experiencing oral pain and discomfort
- Seeing red, swollen, or bloody gums
- Experiencing gum abscess and sensitivity
If you suffer from dental anxiety and are putting off necessary periodontal treatment, please let us know, and we can work with you. We will help you know your treatment options and make you as comfortable as possible. We understand patients are often anxious about the following:
- Embarrassment about the current state of your teeth
- Fear of gagging or losing control
- Fear of injection or not becoming numb enough when injected and feeling pain
- Fear of the dental tools used in your mouth
What You Can Do To Overcome Dental Anxiety
- Let us know: We are happy to explain what we do to help our patients feel comfortable and relaxed during their time in the chair.
- Bring your music: Music has a history of relaxing listeners while drowning out uncomfortable noises that might make one anxious.
- Agree on a “pause” signal: Agree in advance on a sign to pause treatment (when possible), like raising your hand or tapping your chair. Just knowing we are attentive to your needs can help calm your fears!
- Gag reflex: if you have an overactive gag reflex, you can use a throat spray like Vicks® Chloraseptic® Throat Spray beforehand to control your gag reflex (lasts around an hour).
- Bring a mirror: If you are anxious because you can’t see the treatment, a handheld mirror can help you watch and put you more at ease.
- Request sedation: We are happy to offer sedation options to help you feel relaxed and calm during your treatment.
Our goal is to treat your periodontal symptoms so you can maintain healthy gums and teeth. We are happy to work with you to calm your anxiety and give you the painless, timely treatment your smile deserves. We welcome you to reach out to our team to learn more and schedule a consultation!